Ricky Simon, 27, a Union Excessive Faculty graduate and native of Vancouver, Washington has develop into a rising star on this planet of combined martial arts and posted a much-needed victory over a battle-tested opponent in Ray Borg at UFC Struggle Night time 171 in Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday.

Simon (16-3-0) was compelled to depend on the judges scorecard ultimately, incomes a cut up resolution (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) over Borg (13-5-0) with a complete of seven takedowns to earn the higher hand. However when each fighters had been on their ft, Simon was more than pleased to trade punches with Borg regardless of his admission within the post-fight interview that he was a extra of “a pretend striker” who usually depends on his wrestling background to earn victories within the Octagon.

Following a streak of eight-straight wins that made him one of many hottest names in combined martial arts, Simon hit a wall just lately. First, he was shutout in a unanimous resolution that went to Rob Font after which suffered a crushing first-round knockout by the hands of Urijah Faber in his final outing. Borg, in the meantime, had moved as much as the bantamweight division and was driving excessive following a two-fight win streak coming into Wednesday’s matchup.

“I’m not right here for the simple fights,” Simon stated following the win. “I’m coming off two losses, however to a Corridor-of-Famer and a High 10 man on this planet and I simply beat a man who fought for a world title.”

The empty fitness center at VyStar Veterans Memorial Enviornment offered for some wonderful highlights from this battle as followers had been in a position to hear the trash speak from each fighters throughout the broadcast. Right here’s a take a look at a few of the high moments and the perfect highlights from Simon’s win over Borg:

Right here’s a take a look at a few of the greatest photographs from Simon’s victory at UFC Struggle Night time 171 in Jacksonville:

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MAY 13: Ricky Simon (R) of the USA talks with Ray Borg (L) of the USA of their Males’s Bantamweight bout throughout UFC Struggle Night time at VyStar Veterans Memorial Enviornment on Could 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photograph by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Photographs)Getty Photographs